Method and apparatus for applying a matte finish to photographs and article

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an embosser for producing matte finish photographs from a glossy finish photograph. The embosser receives a sheet of glossy prints as generated by an inkjet printer with a clear laminate over the print to protect the inkjet generated photographic image. Pressure and embossing rollers biased to spaced apart positions within the embosser are selectively operable to move one against the other to create a nip through which the laminated print passes. At the option of an operator the laminated print may be allowed to pass between the spaced apart rollers undisturbed thereby generating a glossy photograph. At the option of the operator the rollers are moved one against the other to create the nip so that passage of the print now results in an embossment of the lamination thereby producing a matte finish photograph. Also disclosed is a method for alternatively generating a glossy or matte finish print and a matte finished print wherein the matte finish is formed in situ.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a divisional of application Ser. No.10/066,235 filed Feb. 2, 2002.

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”

[0002] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates generally to a photofinishingoperation. More particularly the invention relates to a photofinishingoperation that is capable of producing either glossy or matte finishedphotographs

[0005] 2. Description of Related Art

[0006] In photofinishing operations it is conventional to develop andprint photographs on roll stock photographic paper having a width thatgenerally accommodates one size of print. After printing out a roll ofphotos on a strip of the roll stock, the strip is cut to provide theindividual prints. Advancements in photofinishing allow for theproduction of photographs by inkjet printers, laser printers and otherphotofinishing printers including silver-halide systems that receive adigital input and employ conventional wet chemistry output. The use ofcomputers in connection with these advancements allows for furtherimprovement. For example, it is not necessary to use roll stock havingthe width of a desired finished photo. A photofinishing printer now cangenerate photos of various sizes on a single sheet of print media. Alsothe images can be manipulated to nest various image sizes on a singlelarger sheet. Accordingly, a sheet or roll stock of a single width canbe used to generate prints of various sizes for a single customer order.

[0007] However, a draw back of using an inkjet printer or the like in aphotofinishing operation is that the resulting photographic images aresubject to durability and fading problems. For example, the printedimage can be eroded by abrasion. In order to improve print durability,of any inkjet printed image, it is known to apply a laminate to theprinted surface. The resulting laminated photograph tends to take on thecharacteristics of the paper stock on which the image is printed. Forexample, the paper stock may have either a glossy or a matte finish andthe laminated product will have a like finish.

[0008] For a photofinisher to provide a customer with a choice offinishes (either matte or glossy), it has been necessary for thephotofinishing operation to stock photographic papers of each finish andto switch papers as needed for a given customer order. Largerphotofinishing operations may have several photofinishing machineswherein one of the machines is dedicated to producing photographs of amatte finish. However, rather than carry an inventory of various sizesof paper in each of the two finishes and taking the time to change thepaper supply in response to a customer request for one type of finish oranother, photofinishing operations generally do not offer the customer achoice of finishes. If a choice of finishes is offered, it generally isin connection with a special promotion.

[0009] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providean apparatus and method for producing both glossy and matte finishedphotographs from the same photographic paper stock.

[0010] Another object is to provide an apparatus and method forconverting a glossy photograph to one having a matte finish.

[0011] Yet another object is to provide an apparatus and method forproviding an inkjet printed image having a protective laminate in eithera glossy or matte finish.

[0012] Yet another object is to provide photograph inkjet printed onglossy paper yet having a matte finish.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In the present invention a photofinishing system is providedwherein an inkjet printer generates the photographic images. The printmedium preferably is a conventional glossy finish photographic paper. Toprotect the inkjet printed image, the printed sheet is fed to alaminator that applies a clear protective lamination over the printedimage. In accordance with the present invention, the lamination then isselectively treated to provide it with a matte finish. This isaccomplished by heating the lamination and embossing the heated laminatesurface to apply texture. Light reflecting off of the embossed surfaceat different rates provides the appearance of a matte finish. In thisfashion a photographic paper normally having a glossy finish isconverted to a matte finish. If a glossy finish is desired, thelaminated product is simply ejected from the laminator withoutembossing. Thus, at the option of the operator, the operation canproduce photographs from the same glossy photographic stock thatselectively has either a glossy or matte finish.

[0014] Accordingly, the present invention may be characterized in oneaspect thereof by an apparatus for producing a matte finish photographicprint comprising:

[0015] a) a laminator for applying a clear protective laminate over aphotographic image having a glossy finish surface to produce a laminatedglossy finish photograph;

[0016] b) an embosser arranged to receive the laminated photograph andincluding means for moving the laminated photograph along a path oftravel from an inlet to an exit; and

[0017] c) an embossing roller arranged at one side of the path oftravel, the roller having a textured outer surface and the clearprotective laminate being selectively engaged against the embossingroller for embossing the laminate with a texture that produces a mattefinish thereby selectively converting the glossy finish photograph to amatte finish.

[0018] In another aspect the present invention may be characterized by amethod for producing a matte finish photographic print comprising:

[0019] a) providing a photographic image having a glossy finish surface;

[0020] b) laminating a clear protecting laminate to the glossy finishsurface to produce a laminated glossy finish photograph; and

[0021] c) selectively embossing a textured pattern into the clearprotective laminate to produce a laminated matte finish photograph.

[0022] In still another aspect, the present invention may becharacterized by a matte finish photograph comprising:

[0023] a) a first layer comprising a sheet of photographic paper havinga glossy finish surface and a printed image on the glossy finish surfaceto provide a glossy finish photograph;

[0024] b) a second layer comprising a clear protective laminate appliedto and extending over the printed image; and

[0025] c) the laminate having a textured outer surface and the texturedsurface being formed in situ to provide the glossy finish photographwith a matte finish appearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0026]FIG. 1 shows a sequence of steps for producing a inkjet printedphotograph according to the present invention;

[0027]FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic illustrations of the apparatus forembossing a laminated photographic image in different operativepositions; and

[0028]FIG. 4 is a view showing, in cross section, a portion of a mattefinish photograph in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows generally the sequence ofsteps for producing an inkjet printed photograph. In this respect theapparatus generally indicated at 10 includes an inkjet printer 12. Theprinter is fed from a continuous roll of photographic paper 14 thatpreferably is a conventional paper used in inkjet printing to produceglossy photographs. A computer 16 that has been loaded with a digitalrepresentation of the image or images to be printed controls theprinter. The printed output passes from the inkjet printer and into acoater/laminator 20. The printer and laminator generally have differentoperational speeds so a buffer 18 is disposed between the two. Thebuffer 18 serves to operatively connect the printer to the laminator byfirst accommodating the output from the printer and then handing theprinter output off to the laminator.

[0030] In the laminator, a protective laminate is applied to the printedsurface of the photographic paper. The laminate is any suitable clearplastic 0.5 to 1.0 mil film that is applied to the printed surface ofthe paper. The paper and laminate then pass through a nip (not shown)that presses the two together, preferably with heat so the laminate isadhered to the image surface. Since the photograph is on glossy paperand both surfaces of the laminate are smooth, the result is a laminated,glossy finish photograph.

[0031] From the coater/laminator, the laminated structure passes into anembosser 22. While not shown, there may be a buffer between thelaminator 20 and the embosser 22 in cases where the two have differentoperational speeds. The embosser is selectively operated either toproduce a glossy finish photograph or a photograph having a mattefinish. Information as to whether to produce either finish of photographis inputted to the computer 16. The computer then controls the embosseras set out hereinbelow to produce the desired finish.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the embosser 22 has an inlet 24 for receivingthe laminated glossy finish print output 26 of the laminator. The print26 includes a section of the photographic paper 14 including theinkjet-printed image and a section of laminate 15 disposed over theprinted image and affixed to the paper. The inlet of the embosserconnects to a guide track 28. The guide track and pairs of spaced driverollers 30, 32 define a path of travel (indicated by a dotted line)through the embosser to an exit 34. Other drive rollers 36 may belocated adjacent the track to facilitate the transport of a laminatedphotograph from the embosser inlet 24 to the exit 34. The spacingbetween pairs of drive rollers is small enough to accommodate theshortest photographic print delivered to the embosser.

[0033] Arranged along the path of travel and preferably between theroller pairs 30 and 32 is an embossing mechanism generally indicated at38. The embossing mechanism includes an embossing roller 40 located atone side of the path of travel. The roller or at least the outer surface42 of the roller is made of metal or other material that can be heatedand retains heat. Preferably the embossing roller is hollow and has aheating element 44 disposed in the hollow for heating the roller andmore particularly, for heating the outer surface 42. Any suitableheating device can be used including resistance or radiant heaters.Preferably the heater is a heating lamp incorporated into the embosserroller. A motor (not shown) drives the embossing roller.

[0034] The outer surface 42 of the embossing roller is textured by anysuitable means such as by chemical etching or mechanical operation thatwill provide the roller with a degree of roughness. The roughnesspreferably is greater than 100 micro inches and sufficient, givenvarious factors as set out hereinbelow, to provide the print out put 26of the laminator with a matte finish. The texture of the outer surfaceshould be as random as possible with no sharp points.

[0035] Located across the path of travel opposite the embossing rolleris a pressure roller 46 having a resilient outer surface formed of arubber or the like. The pressure roller is journaled to a lever arm 48.The lever arm has a pivotally supported end 50 and a free end 52 whereinthe pressure roller is journaled to the arm intermediate the supportedand free ends 50, 52 respectively. The lever arm is biased by a spring54 or the like that urges the free end of the arm about its pivoted end50 to the left or to a first position as viewed in FIG. 2. This createsa space 56 between the pressure roll 46 and the embossing roller 40 soas to maintain an open path of travel. It also maintains contact of thefree end 52 of the lever arm with a mechanical cam 58. The cam isselectively operated to drive the lever arm free end 52 to the right andto a second position as viewed in FIG. 2. This closes the space 56 andcauses the pressure roll 46 to bear against and form a nip with theembossing roller 40. Operation of the cam is under the control of thecomputer 16 so that the selective actuation of the cam to allow movementof the pressure roller between its first and second positions determineswhether a glossy or matte finish photograph is produced as further setout hereinbelow.

[0036] The operation of the embosser 22 begins by heating the embossingroller 40. A proper operating temperature may vary depending upon thematerial of the laminate, the roughness of the surface 42 of theembossing roller and the pressure exerted at by the pressure roller. Inany event when temperature is reached, the embosser is in condition toreceive an image from the coater/laminator 20. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 2, the laminated glossy finish photograph 26 oriented with itslaminated side positioned on the same side of the path of travel as thetextured embossing roller 40, enters the inlet 24. The photograph ismoved forward through a series of driven rollers, such as shown at 36,30 along the path of travel toward the embossing roller 40.

[0037] If a glossy finish photograph is desired, the path of travel iskept open by maintaining the pressure roller in the position as shown inFIG. 2. This keeps the path of travel open so the laminated glossyfinish photograph is transported through the space 56 without contactingthe embossing roller. In this fashion the glossy finish is not disturbedas the laminated glossy finish photograph passes through the exit 34.Consequently, a glossy finish photograph moves through the embosser exit34.

[0038] If a matte finish photograph is desired, the computer 16 causesthe operation of cam 58. Operation of the cam causes the lever arm 48 topivot to the right as shown in FIG. 2, which in turn causes the pressureroll 46 to create a nip between it and the heated embossing roller 40.Now, when a laminated print reaches the embossing roller, the printpasses through the nip so the laminate side 15 is contacted and pressedagainst the heated embossing roller. The heat of the embossing rollersoftens the laminate 15 and this allows the textured surface of theembossing roller to modify the surface of the laminate by embossing thetexture of the roller surface 42 into the laminate. The result of thisoperation is that light now will reflect off the laminate surface at adifferent rate giving it the appearance of a matte finish. Thephotograph passes to the exit 34 and a matte finish photograph isproduced from the glossy print.

[0039] The resulting matte finish photograph is shown in FIG. 4. Asshown in FIG. 4, the glossy paper substrate 14 is overlaid with thelaminate 15 and the laminate has its outer surface embossed. Thisprovides the photograph with a matte finish wherein the matte finish isapplied in situ to the photograph as opposed to an initial printing ofthe photograph on a matte finish paper.

[0040] It is generally understood that a glossy image is one thatgenerates values of between 60 and 70 on a 20° reflectivity scale. Incontrast, an image having a matte finish is one considered to havereflectivity values generally below about 40 and preferably below about10-26.

[0041] As noted above the various factors of temperature, pressure, thefinish of the embossing surface and the particular material andthickness of the laminate are factors contributing to the production ofa matte finish. For conventional plastic films used as photographiclaminates as described herein, a temperature of the textured surfaceabove 75° C. is too extreme as at this temperature, the laminate tendsto delaminate from the print rather than be embossed. Conversely, asurface temperature of below about 50° C. appears to be too cold toaccept texturing form the roller. Accordingly a temperature range ofbetween 50° C. and 75° C. is considered an operable range.

[0042] The pressure at the nip and surface roughness of the embosserroller also are related in that the amount of force pressing on thelaminated surface is directly proportional to the surface roughness ofthe embosser roll. Given the operational factors of the particularmaterial used as the laminate, an acceptable range of parameters for thedegree of surface roughness, the temperature of the embossing roll andthe pressure applied are matters of design within the skill of the art.

[0043] Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the present inventionaccomplishes its intended objects in providing a method and apparatusfor producing either a glossy finish or a matte finish photograph fromthe same glossy print stock. The apparatus allows the photofinishingoperator to selectively make either glossy or matte prints without theneed to inventory both glossy and matte finish print paper.

Having described the invention in detail, what is claimed as new is: 1.A method for producing a matte finish photographic print comprising: a)providing a photographic image having a glossy finish surface; b)laminating a clear protecting laminate having smooth surfaces to theglossy finish surface to produce a laminated glossy finish photograph;and c) selectively embossing a textured pattern into the clearprotective laminate to produce a laminated matte finish photograph.
 2. Amethod as in claim 1 comprising: a) passing the laminated glossy finishphotograph along a path of travel extending between a pressure rollerand an embossing roller having a textured surface; b) maintaining aspace between the pressure roller and the embossing roller to preventengagement of the embossing roller with the laminate so as not todisturb the glossy finish of the laminated glossy finish photograph; c)selectively closing the pressure roller and the embossing roller oneagainst the other so as to create a nip; and d) passing the laminatedglossy finish photograph through the nip to emboss a texture in thelaminate and create a laminated matte finish photograph.
 3. A method asin claim 2 comprising: a) maintaining a space between the pressureroller and the embossing roller with a bias means urging the pressureroller in a direction away from the embossing roller; and b) selectivelymoving the pressure roller against the bias and towards the embossingroller to create the nip between the pressure roller and the embossingroller.
 4. A method as in claim 1 comprising providing the embossingroller with a textured surface having surface features at least 0.1inches high.
 5. A method as in claim 1 comprising heating the embossingroller.
 6. A method as in claim 1 comprising maintaining the spacebetween the pressure roller and the embossing roller to provide aphotograph having a glossy finish that generates between 60 and 70 on a20° reflectivity scale and selectively closing the pressure roller andthe embossing roller one against the other to provide a photographhaving a matte finish that generates values below about 40 on a 20°reflectivity scale.
 7. A matte finish photograph comprising: a) a firstlayer comprising a sheet of photographic paper having a glossy finishsurface and a printed image on the glossy finish surface to provide aglossy finish photograph; b) a second layer comprising a clearprotective laminate applied to and extending over the printed image; andc) the laminate having a textured outer surface and the textured surfacebeing formed in situ to provide the glossy finish photograph with amatte finish appearance.
 8. A matte finish photograph as in claim 7wherein the matte finish generates values below about 40 on a 20°reflectivity scale.
 9. A matte finish photograph as in claim 7 whereinthe glossy finish photograph generates values of between 60 and 70 on a20° reflectivity scale and the matte finish formed in situ generatesvalues of below about 40 on a 20° reflectivity scale.